Thread: Boot help

I'm sure it's been asked a million times, but I'll make it a million and one. Looking at getting myself a pair of hunting boots. Just for north island stuff, so nothing too fancy needed. Don't have a huge budget, but need to find something that will be comfortable. I'm usually a size 13-14US with quite a wide foot, so any recommendations on a wider boot would be much appreciated!

Originally Posted by Jamesyd

I'm sure it's been asked a million times, but I'll make it a million and one. Looking at getting myself a pair of hunting boots. Just for north island stuff, so nothing too fancy needed. Don't have a huge budget, but need to find something that will be comfortable. I'm usually a size 13-14US with quite a wide foot, so any recommendations on a wider boot would be much appreciated!

most of my hunting has been North Isalnd especially Te Urewera and East Coast - I have worn nothing but Bullers for 50 years and totally recommend them - in fact culling we all wore them nothing else for bush work - the only time we changed was doing goat work on farm land and we wore leather boots to stop us sliding on bloody sheep shit - south island very different

Typical pack weight makes a difference to what I’d recommend. Light pack / day trips can get away with something light & flexible, but heavy packs need a stiffer shank.

Good ankle support is a must IMO, Goretex / equivalents not so much.

Best rubber compound and tread pattern for the sole is highly dependent on the terrain. Rocky tops? Muddy bush? Slippery riverbeds?

At the end of the day, you need to try a few on and find what fits you best, as each brand will suit a different foot shape.

https://salomon.co.nz/products/quest...34487257268375

To qualify that link a bit.

I think big heavy leather boots are overrated, old tech, I prefer a much lighter boot, as long as the pack is under 20kg I'd be happy with trail shoes. You definitely notice the difference in the hills when you don't have 1kg strapped to each leg.

The boots above are quite lightweight and reasonably durable, sole is solid enough for pack work. I wore them daily for work for a while but have moved to a lighter model now, I still use them as my hunting/greenrole boot.

This is all just my humble opinion.

Agree with above boot. If these fit your foot shape I’d run with them. Salomon are a excellent light boot for hunting and have enough shank for a 20 kg + pack trip.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had a similar thread about a month ago, most regular recommendations were Salewa Repace and Sportiva Trango Gtx Trk. Both very light gortex boots for around $500. I bought the Repace and did 8km in them yesterday on the road. Very comfortable out of the box. Will get them on the hill this afternoon hopefully.
I have tried the Salomons, very comfortable boot also, but I killed them in under 12 months. I also found them pretty slippery in wet conditions on the soil types down here.

I had the Salomon boots and trail running version for summer hunting but now use a boot brand “Keen” good price and have a wide fit which the Salomon’s don’t,keen are readily available and dry fast,light with good aggressive tread pattern,I bush hunt Sika a lot and they have been perfect .

I have a pair of these from Taranaki Rubber. They run extremely large and wide. I'm usually a size 10 and have super wide feet. Bought a pair of these in size 9 and I'm swimming in them, should have got size 8. Tread is very good and I grip well in these in wet bush. Not the most comfortable imho, they're basically an insulated gumboot. Still for $65 it's probably worth a punt in case you like them. Can almost guarantee you won't find a wider fitting boot.

https://www.facebook.com/commerce/pr...6903145078701/

bullers no longer made but the ashleys are...a taller version,I rate mine very highly for bush work..... its them or the lightweight boots I got off Sarvo every time...if its looking even slightly damp its the ashleys every time.... at under $200 a pair,you can afford to get another pair when tread wears down a bit and they start to get slipperier...and keep older pair for dry days or cut holes in sides for river work....
the yare like an old pair of slippers,my feet really appreciate them after years of lace up leather boots cooking them....

I really rate the boots I got from Sarvo. Have worn them bush to tops and never had an issue. I got the summer and winter versions.
Nice and light. Good support and grip. Cheap too!
Not sure if you can get them anymore though since the whole Ukraine shit kicked off.

Originally Posted by LMcNab

I had a similar thread about a month ago, most regular recommendations were Salewa Repace and Sportiva Trango Gtx Trk. Both very light gortex boots for around $500. I bought the Repace and did 8km in them yesterday on the road. Very comfortable out of the box. Will get them on the hill this afternoon hopefully.
I have tried the Salomons, very comfortable boot also, but I killed them in under 12 months. I also found them pretty slippery in wet conditions on the soil types down here.

I love my salewas but they do run a bit narrow

Give Jenny a call @ Taranaki Rubber Company. She's got some on clearance. $35 inclusive. I've got three pairs. Very wide and comfortable. Not sure what sizes she's got left. I put after market inners in mine, bloody perfect for my hunting. She's happy to take calls, 0274886645.